When Does Camellia Bloom? A Detailed Guide to Its Blooming Season
Camellia is also known as Souchun, shanchun, naidong, late camellia, tea flower, yangcha, and camellia. It originates from China and is a common ornamental flower. So when does camellia bloom? How do you care for it?
When does camellia bloom?
Camellia blooms from January to April, but the blooming time varies depending on the region and variety. For example, camellias in the south mostly bloom in March and April, while in the north, where the climate is severely cold and they are mostly grown indoors, they can bloom as early as November of the previous year.
How do you care for camellia?
1. Soil
For open-ground cultivation of camellia, choose a site with deep, loose soil with good drainage; a pH of 5-6 is most suitable, and alkaline soil is not suitable for camellia growth. For potting soil, use fertile, loose, slightly acidic loam or leaf mold.
2. Temperature
The suitable growth temperature for camellia is 18-25°C, 13-18°C from March to September, and 10-13°C from September to March of the following year. It begins to sprout when the temperature is above 12°C, stops growing above 30°C, starts blooming at 2°C, and the suitable temperature for flower opening is 10-20°C. Cold-hardy camellia varieties can tolerate -10°C for a short time, while ordinary varieties tolerate -3-4°C. When summer temperatures exceed 35°C, leaf scorch will occur.
3. Light
Camellia is a semi-shade plant, suitable for growing in diffused light, and afraid of direct sunlight and scorching; seedlings need shading. However, long-term excessive shade is unfavorable for camellia growth, causing thin leaves and few flowers, which affects its ornamental value. Adult plants need more light to promote flower bud formation and blooming.
4. Watering
Water camellia moderately, and it is best to keep the potting soil and surrounding environment moist; do not pour water on the flowers when watering. Tap water used for watering flowers should be left to stand for two days first, or rainwater can be used.
5. Fertilizing
In spring, fertilize two to three times a month, preferably with dilute alum fertilizer water and fully fermented rice-washing water; in summer and autumn, appropriately supplement some phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; in winter, fertilize less.
6. Repotting
Camellia should be repotted and given fresh soil every two years to ensure the nutrients needed for its growth. Repotting is best done half a month after the blooming season; do not remove all the old soil from the roots, and remember to water after putting the plant into the new pot.
To make camellia bloom better, it also needs regular pruning when the flower buds are dense, and after the blooming season, promptly cut off the faded flower buds. If you care for it according to the methods above, you won't have to worry about your camellia failing to bloom.